Maine Day at Fenway Audio

Photo - CMSB/Pierre's of Exchange St

Here is some audio from Maine Day at Fenway

Justin Masterson

Terry Francona

Tim Wakefield

Justin Masterson-The Japanese Connection

Matty caught up with Red Sox pitcher Justin Masterson Friday night, talked about last year, the off-season, bullpen antics, and his #1 Fan.

Matty: Did you approach this off-season any differently where you pitched late into the season,?

Justin Masterson: I took a couple of weeks to kind of decompress and look back. The biggest difference this year is I am going into my fourth pro year, so I know my body much better, and I know when to start throwing and working out, at least more so than in my first couple of years.

MB: I know most successful professional athletes set goals for themselves, did you expect that 2 or 3 years ago you would be where you are right now?

JM: Many people thought I had high expectations, because my goal last year was to be a September call-up, get my foot in the door and pitch. When the first-half call-up came up it was like "Wow this is a bit early" but I'll definitely I take it (laughing).

MB: There are alot of bullpen stories and things that happen out there. Anything you can share off the top of your head?

JM: (Laughing) It's just so loose back there in the beginning of the game, but as we get going by the 5th or 6th inning, it gets a little tighter. It never gets real tense, but you can tell it is game time. To be honest we spend a lot of time dissecting swings, fans, and and coaching signs. We definitely have too much time on our hands sometimes, just trying to solve the world's problems (laughing).

MB: Who is the best sunflower seed thrower out there?

JM: Oh man, I would have to go with Mike Timlin last year. Javy Lopez is one of my favorites though, he's got that lefty stroke going, has a lot of power, and doesn't have a lot of movement.

MB: Are there any fans down in that area that are like regulars?

JM: There is this one Japanese guy that is always by the bullpen named Taro. He kind of took me under his wing. He is a professor at Harvard, which I never would have expected, he bought my jersey and customized it with my first name on the back (Japanese custom to have the first name on the back of a uniform). He's always yelling "Justin! Justin!" He's a great guy. (Masterson expanded on this story during the Hot Stove Dinner. "My brother, my wife and myself were getting on the train and this Japanese guy was staring at me. It was a little awkward, but then he comes running at me yelling something. His english wasn't all that good, but I could make out 'JUSTIN' , and I knew he knew who I was. He ended up getting on his train and as it was pulling away he reached into his pocket and held this card up to the window, which I couldn' t read because it was 15 feet away. It was his Red Sox Nation card. Him and his wife have given me and my wife great Japanese food. It's funny though, because when we are in the bullpen he gets wound up,yelling my first name, even though he has just seen me the day before, and the guys in the bullpen have to tell me to calm him down. They call me the Japanese Connection).

MB: Was there a road game experience or atmosphere that really sticks out in your mind from last year?

JM: Yankee Stadium was very cool, but the Angels stadium in the playoffs was the best. Fans were going nuts, and on my first pitch I bounce one 5 feet in front of the plate. Plus they have that rally monkey. The do a great job on those videos though, they are interesting.

MB: Are you approaching this season the way you would if you knew you were going to be a starter and adjusting from there?

JM: Yeah that is the easiest way to do it. You never know what might happen during spring training and you need to be prepared for any situation.

Sea Dogs Hot Stove Dinner A Good Time For All

Todd Jamison and Aaron Bates

The Portland Sea Dogs held their annual Hot Stove Dinner to benefit the Maine Children's Cancer Program in South Portland on Friday night, and it their was plenty of baseball talk and stories to warm everyone from the winter's chill.

Sea Dogs manager Arnie Beyeler (accompanied by his 2007 World Series Ring) was in the house to be reintroduced as Sea Dogs manager for the first year. He flew up from his home in Jacksonville to take part in the event.

"I am glad they brought me back, Portland's a great city with great fans, and I'm proud to be part of a great organization," said Beyeler.

When asked about the weather difference between Maine and Jacksonville, Beyeler gave a rather surprising response.

"I got to ski for the first time in 20 years. After I fell down the first time I was able to have a good time," he joked.

Former Sea Dogs Aaron Bates (accompanied by his hair) and Jeff Natale (aspiring stand-up comedian) were on hand. Bates was fresh from a stint in the Puerto Rico winter league, while Natale has been working as a baseball trainer at Frozen Ropes in Natick, MA.

Mike Hazen, the Red Sox Director of Player Development, was part of the program, and he answered questions about the Red Sox off-season. One of the questions was from the crowd over 260 people asking if Jason Varitek would be back.

"Well, we hope so. One thing working in our favor right now is the fact there are not a lot of teams still out there looking for a starting catcher. It's like a game of musical chairs, if there was only one catcher left and one team left to get him a job, you would hope they could come together on something", said Hazer.

Former Yankees manager and Maine baseball legend Stump Merrill was on hand and told stories about when he won the Eastern League Championship with Reading.

"The check I got was for $37.50 for winning the Eastern League title back in the early 60's. I swore I would never cash it, but it got lost somewhere along the way," he chuckled.

He also talked about George Steinbrenner, and how much different spring training is without him in the locker room and around the players.

"When I was down in spring training last year, I was telling someone I wish George would pop around the corner and chew my ass about something. He is missed now, and he is going to be missed alot more in the future," he said.

The guest of honor was former Sea Dog and current Red Sox pitcher Justin Masterson. He was very relaxed and laid back, cracking jokes and relaying what it was like when he got the call to Fenway.

"My wife and I were on our way to the pet store, and (Sea Dogs Pitching Coach) Mike Cather calls and tells me I am going to be pitching in Fenway the next day. My wife and I drove to Hadlock, we drove very fast, and found out I was going to start an afternoon game against the Angels," reminisced Masterson,"it was pretty amazing."

It was a great night, as the fund-raiser raised quite a bit of money for the charity, and baseball fans of all ages were treated to a taste of summer on a night of winter cold. All in all, what a hot stove is supposed to do.